Although classroom-based courses have been postponed or cancelled as a result of the lockdown, fleets still need to ensure safe driving and fleet vehicle maintenance, in particular due to the increased demand for delivery of essential items such as food and medicines, while also avoiding a growing backlog of CPC training, including for furloughed drivers.

In response, DriveTech is now available to deliver online Driver CPC training that’s approved by JAUPT and accredited by FORS.

Courses will be delivered ‘live’ by qualified trainers via Microsoft Teams – a free, secure, reliable and accessible digital platform. The virtual classroom will allow up to 10 delegates at any one time, making sure the essential interaction of traditional classroom training is achieved, whilst staying safe and adhering to the Government restrictions on social distancing.

Registration and identity checks are undertaken digitally before every course and each delegate is monitored and assessed throughout to verify full course attendance, and perhaps more importantly to ensure learning outcomes are achieved.

For the courses that are usually seven hours in length, the training will need to be completed within a 24-hour period – in line with existing JAUPT guidelines – meaning the courses will be split across an afternoon and the following morning.

Nick Butler, fleet director at DriveTech, commented: “Despite the coronavirus curveball, DriveTech remains committed to road safety. The virtual delivery of our Driver CPC courses means we can meet our customers’ demands – after all, the clock is always ticking for professional drivers to complete their compulsory periodic training. And remember, drivers can still complete training even if they have been furloughed.”

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for 16 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day. As Business Editor, Natalie ensures the group websites and newsletters are updated with the latest news.